What happens when the fuel warning light turns on? It’s not safe to run out of gas while the vehicle is on the move! Should you stress? This quick guide with helpful charts can help you answer the question – how far can your Honda drive with the low fuel light on?
The low gas light indicates that you have 10 to 15 percent of your fuel left. Generally, your fuel level is one to two gallons. In a fuel efficient vehicle, you probably have between 30 and 50 miles before you run out of fuel. A pickup truck might have 20 to 40 miles. That’s a wide mileage range, and you’ll want to be more precise for your own safety.
Fortunately most modern Hondas have a fuel estimator that will give you an approximate number of miles that your vehicle can continue without stopping for fuel. It’s always good to err on the side of caution and stop as soon as you are concerned. For instance, if the mileage is showing 50 miles until empty, you should plan to stop within 25 miles. If you see it is showing 30 miles until empty, stop within five miles.
Keep scrolling for formulas, charts, and cheat sheets to help you determine how many miles you can go safely.
- Step by Step Directions to Calculate Driving Distance
- A Cheat Sheet to Calculate Minimum Fuel Remaining
- How to Find Your Tank Size with Chart
- How to Find Your Honda Fuel Economy with Chart
Step-By-Step Instructions To Calculate Driving Distance
These equations must be done in order. Check out our cheat sheets to skip step one and help with step two.
1. To find how much gas is left in the tank (at a minimum), solve this equation: GL x 10% = N
Multiply the tank size (GL) by 0.1 (10 percent) to find the Number of Gallons Remaining (N).
2. To make an estimate of miles remaining, solve this equation: MPG x N = M
Multiply City Fuel Economy (MPG) by Gallons Remaining (N – from Step 1) to find the Number of Miles Remaining (M).
3. This simple formula is the last step: M – GS = ?
Start with Miles Remaining (M from Step 2) and subtract the mileage to the nearest gas station, per navigation or a map. A positive number means you can make it. Negative number is iffy or impossible.
Here’s Your Cheat Sheet for Gas Tank Size and Minimum Fuel
Who wants to do math when you are worried? Here’s a quick chart to help you estimate fuel remaining. Just round your tank size down to the closest number.
Tank Size x 10 percent =Minimum Fuel Remaining
| 10-GL = 1 GL | 16-GL = 1.6 GL |
| 11-GL = 1.1 GL | 17-GL = 1.7 GL |
| 12-GL = 1.2 GL | 18-GL = 1.8 GL |
| 13-GL = 1.3 GL | 19-GL =1.9 GL |
| 14-GL = 1.4 GL | 20-GL = 2 GL |
| 15-GL = 1.5 GL |
How to Find Your Honda Tank Size
Your owner’s manual can tell you the size of your car s fuel tank. This chart is for the 2022 model year only and may be higher or lower than an older model.
- 10.6 GL: 2022 Insight
- 12.39 GL: 2022 Civic Hatchback
- 12.4 GL: 2022 Civic Sedan
- 13.2 GL: 2022 HR-V
- 14 GL: 2022 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid
- 14.8 GL: 2022 Accord, Accord Hybrid
- 19.5 GL: 2022 Passport, Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline
How to Find Your Honda Fuel Economy (City)
Please see your car manual to confirm your vehicle’s fuel economy. The predicted MPG may vary with year, trim, engine, drivetrain, and transmission. This chart is for the 2022 model year only and does not represent the complete lineup. Due to the variety of Civics and nonhybrid Accords, those figures are not quoted here.
MPG: 2022 Models | MPG: 2022 Hybrid Models |
| 18: Ridgeline | 40: CR-V Hybrid |
| 19: Passport AWD, Pilot AWD, Odyssey | 44:Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring |
| 20: Passport 2WD, Pilot 2WD | 48: Accord Hybrid EX-L |
| 27: CR-V AWD, HR-V AWD | 51: Insight Touring |
| 28: CR-V 2WD, HR-V 2WD | 55: Insight EX |
Based on 2022 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid trims) and other factors.
Conclusion
Here’s an example using the 2022 Honda HR-V.
- The tank holds about 13 gallons. 13 x 0.1 equals 1.3 GL remaining.
- City fuel economy is 28 mpg. Multiplied by 1.3 GL, it equals 36.4 Miles.
- Closest gas is 30 miles. When you subtract, that leaves about 6.4 miles before an empty tank. However, if 40 miles away, that’s almost 14 miles too far. It’s iffy at best. More than that? Unlikely. You can’t drive on empty.
In rare cases, your fuel gauge could be malfunctioning. Our service department can assist you with problems related to your gas tank, fuel pump and any other automotive problem. Schedule your maintenance or repairs online.
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